A convincing Bank of America alert can still be fake: scammers may spoof phone numbers, email addresses and websites. Don’t click, call, share a password or verification code, or move money because an unexpected message tells you to. Verify through the bank’s official app or website, or a number on your card or statement.
How do I know if a Bank of America email or text is real?
You cannot authenticate a message by its display name, apparent sender address, phone number or polished design alone. Bank of America warns that impersonators can spoof contact details and create realistic-looking websites. Treat an unexpected message as unverified until you check it through a channel you found independently. Bank of America Security Center
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Warning signs that deserve a pause
- Urgency or threats: The message says you must act immediately to avoid a locked account, lost funds or another consequence.
- Secrecy: The sender tells you not to discuss the request with anyone.
- Requests for credentials or codes: Someone asks for your password or one-time verification code.
- Instructions to move money: You are told to transfer funds, withdraw cash, or buy gift cards or cryptocurrency.
- A link or callback number in the message: It directs you to sign in or call using contact details the sender supplied.
These signs are reasons to verify, not a visual checklist that can prove a message is genuine or fraudulent. Do not rely on one detail such as a familiar phone number to decide. Bank of America says that, when checking account activity, it may ask you to confirm activity, but will not ask for your password, verification code, or for you to send money to the bank or anyone else in connection with that request. Bank of America Security Center
Does Bank of America ever contact customers about account information?
Yes. Bank of America says it may occasionally ask customers to confirm or update personal or business information, including for regulatory customer-information requirements. So “the bank will never contact you” is not a reliable rule. The safer test is what the contact asks you to do and whether you can verify it independently.
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The bank says it will not ask you to withdraw, send or move money. If a contact seems uncertain, do not use its link or phone number; go to the bank’s official website or app yourself, or call a verified number on your card or statement. Bank of America security guidance
What should I do if I receive a suspicious message?
- Stop before interacting. Do not click links, reply, open attachments, call a number in the message or follow instructions to move funds.
- Check independently. Open the bank’s official app, type its web address yourself, or call the number printed on your card or statement. Do not use contact information from the unexpected message.
- Report the message. Forward suspicious email or text messages using Bank of America’s name to [email protected]. Suspicious texts can also be forwarded to your carrier at 7726 (SPAM). Bank of America: Report suspicious communications
What should I do if I clicked a link or responded?
Contact Bank of America promptly using a verified number on your card or statement, explain what you clicked or shared, and follow the bank’s instructions for your account and incident. The bank directs customers who responded to a suspicious communication to contact it; if you suspect fraud, use its official reporting channel. Bank of America: Report suspicious communications
If you entered a password, shared a verification code, or provided financial details, tell the bank exactly what information you disclosed. Do not assume that changing a password alone resolves possible account compromise; ask the bank what steps apply to your situation.
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